What are any of you using?
I have been using Voltaren with good results but lately I have developed a rash in the areas where used.

My Dad got good results from Australian Dream.

I take Glucosamine Chondroitin as a supplement daily and it works pretty good keeping inflammation tolerable in my ankle and thumbs. I also take a powdered collagen and mix it with my tea. Collagen is supposed to be good for joints, hair and skin. Be careful what you eat because some foods aggravate inflammation and make it worse and some foods contribute to helping control inflammation.

I have arthritis in both knees:

I was using Biofreeze in the morning and Aspercreme in the evening. However, the combo became insufficient.

I spoke with my trusty knee surgeon and I have now completed my third round of Euflexxa. It's a hyaluronic acid gel injected into the knee capsule that lubricates the joint. I went 12 months between the first round and second round, and went seven months between the second round and third round. Hard to say if it's truly decreasing as I ruptured my Achilles tendon so I was on a knee scooter for months which was hell on my knees.

Be carful with Euflexxa.

Voltaren works minimally for me. Ibuprofen helps quite a bit. But the cortisone injection I got in my knuckle last week almost eliminates it. Lasts anywhere from 5-11 months. It sucks and I’m only 54.

quote:

Originally posted by Big DJ:
Be carful with Euflexxa.

Specifics would be helpful

Tart cherry extract. Someone on the forum suggested it and it is almost as good as the prescribed med I take.

My wife and daughter use Tiger Balm.

Acetaminophen 500mg and naproxen sodium 220mg - one of each. Usually calms my shoulder down all day.

Cleaning up my diet made a huge difference for me. Avoiding (seriously seeking them sneaking it into my food via all of the other names it can be conveyed with) Sugar, wheat products and alcohol). I also use Alieve when needed.

I have arthritis in both thumbs mainly, and in each hand in various places that are easier to deal with. I play guitar, so it's getting in the way. I'm scheduled to get steroid injections using some type of x-ray technology to get the needle in just the right place in mid-May. I'm hopeful! Otherwise, I take diclofenac, a NSAID, as needed but I try not to take it too often as it's hard on the innards - as a recent colonoscopy showed.

quote:

Originally posted by PPinesRon:
My wife and daughter use Tiger Balm.

Tiger Balm is good stuff!

robbiedog, that’s what my my doc uses. It’s live X-ray and he just watches the screen and gets the needle right where he wants it. Cold spray first, then lidocaine or whatever he uses to numb it, then the cortisone. The needle really doesn’t hurt too bad but the pressure when he floods in the cortisone can hurt a bit. That only lasts for a few seconds though.

quote:

Originally posted by 400m:
robbiedog, that’s what my my doc uses. It’s live X-ray and he just watches the screen and gets the needle right where he wants it. Cold spray first, then lidocaine or whatever he uses to numb it, then the cortisone. The needle really doesn’t hurt too bad but the pressure when he floods in the cortisone can hurt a bit. That only lasts for a few seconds though.

So your doc injects the cortisone shot into your finger joints ??? How long does it last ??? Thank you for any info. God Bless

I have a friend who swears by Blue Emu but I have never tried it.

I have had a few cortisone shots for my knees and both thumbs but they didn't last longer than a week. I had a Hyaluronic acid shot in my right knee about 7 months ago and that has done a good job so far although some insurance providers might not cover it.

For all over pain, it is best to see a rheumatologist. I am starting to develop, what I think is psoriatic arthritis and need to see one. Sometimes it pays to see the man, doctor, to rule out other associated problems with arthritis.

quote:

Originally posted by VBVAGUY:
[QUOTE]

So your doc injects the cortisone shot into your finger joints ??? How long does it last ??? Thank you for any info. God Bless

I get my first injection in both thumbs mid-May. I was told they would last 5-11 months, and that he wouldn't do more than one every 6 months. Surgery would be recommended if/when the shots weren't effective. He assured me that if I had surgery I would still be able to play guitar. Pain-free......we'll see!